Characterization of Porcine Granulosa Cell Line AVG-16.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Endocrinology
• Cell Line Characterization

Background:

• The AVG-16 cell line, derived from porcine granulosa cells, is commercially available but lacks detailed characterization.
• Understanding granulosa cell function is crucial for reproductive health and studying the impact of environmental endocrine disruptors.
• Environmental estrogens pose a risk to ovarian physiology, necessitating reliable models for research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the suitability of the AVG-16 cell line for investigating the effects of environmental estrogens.
• To characterize AVG-16 cells by assessing morphology, steroid hormone secretion, and receptor expression.

Main Methods:

• Morphological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.
• Steroid hormone (progesterone and 17β-estradiol) secretion analysis via radioimmunoassay.
• Gene and protein expression analysis of FSH receptor (FSHR), LH receptor (LHR), estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.

Main Results:

• AVG-16 cells exhibited steroid hormone secretion comparable to primary porcine granulosa cells.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) did not significantly alter steroid secretion.
• FSH and LH receptors were not detected, but AVG-16 cells expressed ERα, ERβ, and AhR at both mRNA and protein levels.

Conclusions:

• AVG-16 cells demonstrate steroidogenic capacity and express key receptors (ERα, ERβ, AhR) relevant to estrogen action.
• The absence of functional FSHR and LHR suggests limited utility for studying gonadotropin-mediated effects.
• AVG-16 cells represent a valuable, homogenous, and continuously available source of porcine granulosa cells for environmental estrogen research.